Living with the 2023 Kawasaki Z900RS: Is It Worth It? 

Every now and then I think about a new bike... and this one just keeps popping in my head.

I bought one in 2018. After owning 18 other bikes over the years I have to say this is the most satisfying and fun to ride bike that I’ve ever owned. I added a one tooth larger front sprocket and sent the ECU out to remove the fuel cutoff between gear changes. I should also mention that the seating position is more comfortable than my R1200R.

I've owned this bike now for about 10 months and I cannot say enough great things about this bike!!

I've had mine café for just over a year. Wow, that year sure flew by! I love the bike and was just admiring it a few minutes ago as I left the garage. This is all coming from a Harley rider of 25+ years.

I bought the 50th anv Z900RS last year. It makes me happy every time I swing a leg over it.

I bought a Z900RS recently .It's a great bike and a head turner . I agree that the throttle is a little jerky , especially when you want to roll off of the power gently , but it's not a show stopper and is part of the sporty character of the bike.

Fell in love with this bike as a 14 yo with a subscription to Cycle Magazine back in the day. Gorgeous, fast, sounds great, what's not to love?!? * To clarify, the one I fell in love with was the Z1 back in 1974! The new one seems like a worthy successor🙌

I pretty much rode every 1970s Kawasaki motorcycle that ever existed... Even the crazy 2-stroke triples. If I had the money I would buy that motorcycle based on looks alone.

I have the 2018, rootbeer & orange color. Added a color matched bikini fairing, ECU flash, airbox mods, a modified Corbin seat, K-tech fork kit, K-tech rear shock w/external reservoir, Akrapovic slip on pipe(because it was free) and Michelin Pilot Power 5 tires. Bike was pretty good stock but it's awesome now.

Forget the stats, its a stunning bike, 10/10 to Kawasaki for effort. Retro GS1000S, Honda 400/4, 500/4, 550/4, Yamaha XJ650 would be good to see.

I love my Street Twin but I can’t stop thinking about these.

I bought mine when they first came out, the Jaffa (orange-brown) in 2018. The original tyres are pretty crap, I’ve been running Bridgestone S22 which make a big difference. I’ve kept the exhaust standard because I reckon it sounds great the way it is. Kawasaki extras: heated grips, rear grabrail, centre stand. Non Kawasaki extras: Envirotech radiator guard, Translogic up-only quickshifter, Booster Plug to get rid of throttle snatch (it works), but ECU flash coming up soon. Best bike I’ve ever owned and I’ve owned a few. The looks are stunning, that’s why I bought it in the first place as soon as I saw it at the dealers, but I haven’t regretted it.

I bought a 1974 Z1 900, 82 HP new in 1974, price = $2,100. It was the fastest production street bike at the time. This new Z sounds just like my 1974, the starter and exhaust note. Sold it about 10 years ago for $8,300 with 22,000 miles on it.

TOTALLY agree on the tires, changed mine and it was like a new bike, handling changed from a pig to a nimble dancer! Good review!

awesome review Gianluigi

Every 4 into 1 bike starts then dwells longer on the silencer side....A beautiful looker from one side only

Stunning bike❤

I So wish Laverda would do a Retro version of the Jota like these 😔

As soon as one of my fav songs “Days of the Running man” started playing as the intro, I knew this bike was meant for me.

I absolutely love it . 👍

brilliant bike , added a quick shifter even better now !

Great Review!

Damn fine looking bike there dude. In any color combo it came in, it just looks damn good. Cant say that about any Honda nowadays. Kawasaki was not playing games with this one.

Beautiful bike ❤

I am so old. lol. I bought a new 1983 Kawasaki KZ1000. It was 506 pounds and 105 horsepower at the wheel and fast. I recall having to hang on firmly so as not to get blown off at high speeds. I look back on that fondly and wish I could own this new 900. Oh well, perhaps in another lifetime?

I was at G&B Kawasaki today with my buddy who bought a SICK 2014 Vulcan all decked out for $3999 in June ! Anyway, I saw this bike and it reminded me of my CB750, only it was a 2021 model and I was drawn to it, also the one with the cafe fairing 650, I think. I haven't ridden in 20 years and I bought my riding boots last week....

Get the ecu flash and brighter back light u can put in heater grips ,back grab bar is a must

It's quite the modern classic and I'm a Team Green guy at heart. I don't care what sort of speed you ride at, get the preload dialed in for you weight. That's basic.

Looking at picking up a new Z900 RS Cafe this week

Great bike. Fuel cutoff can be eliminated by reflashing the ECM,also,if you map the ECU to it’s pre-EPA standart,engine runs cooler,lover cold start idle,and rpm are set to 10 300 insted of factory 9 600.

Spot on review. I have this bike and your review totally echoed my sentiments. I personally think that the lack of technologies in this bike will attract people who like to keep motorcycling simple just like in good old days. What’s your recommendation on tires, which ones do you recommend? While pushing hard in the corners I too feel that the tires need to do a better job. Liked and subscribed!

I own a 2018 RS. Replaced the air filter with a Dyna, eliminated the Cat, and had the ECM flashed. Battlax 22's. The bike is the perfect all rounder, love it. Great fun in the twistys. I recommend a booster plug if you want to keep it stock. GM, buy that bike.

Cheers from the Pacific West Coast of Canada.

I don't have one yet but have been looking at them. The 1st thing I would do is a Kerker exhaust and whatever necessary tuning that entails. The sound of the originals are my favorite part!

I would get this bike in a minute. Its perfect

Christmas Eve, 11:00am my lime green 💚 2019 KZ900RS cafe rolled off the delivery truck. It's incredible, this is a collector's dream, often called bike of the century, it's a home run all the way !!! Risers to be replaced as well as handlebars . Returning foot pegs to stock . Bike has been modified for performance/ as it was a professional track bike in its first life . Can't wait for summer... BGOOD BSAFE

I love its look, only chain-drive bike that i gonna buy

I want them to bring out a Z1R version.

"What else would you want in a motorcycle?". Sums it upp!

Nice dude 👍🏻

2018 Z900rs café owner here (they don’t make the café style anymore unfortunately). I’ve had it 2 years now, only my 2nd bike. I don’t think I will ever ride anything else. The amount of compliments I get on bikes looks alone is just insane. Only negative thing I can point out is the grabby throttle at low revs and seems like I’m not the only one, seeing other comments here… Will look at ECU remap for that…

I have had big Kawasakis and I have had big Yamahas pick one you will not regret it they are high qualities and worth the money

I got the 2022 50th anniversary z900rs I took off the breadbox with a link pipe kept stock look but now sounds awesome no check engine light and seems a bit faster now too

I like the colours from the Years before better than the red from the actual year.

I think you got a blurry fly splot on the camera lens, coincidentally just over the speedo...

I want one 🤩

The radiator and catalytic convertor make me a little sad, but I can tell I would love this bike. I could ditch the pipe where I live because, no emission checks, but I'd be scared of radiator damage if I accidentally dropped it. Maybe I will find a lightly used example one day. 🙂

I owned (2) 1976 KZ 900's. The new 900's look amazing! With an additional 23hp, I can't wait for a test ride 😊

Gorgeous bike, i wouldn't change anything. The stock exhaust sounds awesome but i wish it was black instead of chrome, that's the only thing that bothers me (minor).

That is one of my favorite machines in line with the one from britanic 400 cc which I dong remember name also mention Moto Guzzi.

I changed the tyres. The OEM ones were awful. I also got the suspension professionally set up.

Nice looking. Why are there literally dozens for sale, used on fb marketplace?

Love these, the only thing stopping me is I'd prefer it with Ohlins but I just cant comes to terms with the Yellow Ball colouring. Wish they would bring out an 'S' model version in the red like this one in the test.

Great video. Leaving nostalgia aside for a bit. Would this be a functional bike for the real world? To use a few times a week as a commuting bike?

Funtastic

Are we talking about the price or something else. Any chance Kawasaki will let me test one for a few years. Happy to help.

I love the moter exposed ,the retro look, and I know it's a very dependable will last a life time. 🧝⚡🌴

The only thing l would do to the bike would fit a more squarer type indicator unit like on the A4 GPZ 900R but other than that a beautiful bike

Had one in the 70s.

Yip I bought one, no regrets

I love these bikes and it’s top of my list but in Canada the insurance is insane so it is only a dream now.

what is the price difference between z900 and z900rs?

How is it for tall riders? I'm 6'2 33" inseem

They should have had 4 into 4 exhaust like the original. That would really make it a true retro !

Way to go Kawasaki Heavy Industries!!!!

Big windshield and some engine guards with highway pegs. A cruise control lever to lock in a speed.. All set for a 400 Mile day.

The perfect bike and both kawaski shops in Las Vegas do not have one 😐

about the only new bike id replace my old gen1 magna for.

Ive got one great bike looks good great heritage well made now the downsides snatchy throttle euro5 for you gearing from 1 to 4th very short most times start up in 2nd suspension hard from the crate tyres not the best Michelin road 6 for me all the faults can be sorted mines a keeper

No modes, eh? Cable throttle, by any chance?

Does the engine jut out and is it close to foot peg ..?

I have never broke down on a kawaski driving it wide open all day in the heat on Yamaha I broke down every month the 900rs will out last any Honda,yahma ,Suzie I know I been driving bikes sence 1970🧝⚡🌴🏴‍☠️

evotech tail tidy, rizoma low bar, arrow exhaust

I'm selling my 2003 ZZR1200 to buy one of these. I'm old and old school and really loved the ole standards.

What is it like to live with, I don't know let me borrow one for three years and I will let you know. Many thanks when can I expect delivery.

Is it buzzy like the other Japanese bikes?

I wonder how it compares to the very comfortable Honda CB1100? I am just an old fart who wants the comfortable riding position riding curvy country highways. I don't want a hot rod, but I do like a little grunt to my ride.

what is the intro song?

Ciao, questa moto mi piace un botto, ho solo paura sia troppo potente, mi intimidisce un po'... Non sono un esperto, ho 48 anni e ho avuto un paio di moto da ragazzo ( una CBX 125 e una Yamaha XT) ora ho ricominciato con un Hunter 350, ma l'anno prossimo ho intenzione di fare un upgrade. Che dici? Grazie per la tua opinione.

I look forward to a 90s revival.

Great looking bike. A modern classic that will hold its value when they stop making ICE bikes

So whats different from the 2018 version to the 2023 version, they both look the same to me.

It’s a very reasonably priced bike. How could it not be worth it ?

Bring back 4 into 2 exhaust

That blurry speedo would annoy the heck out of me. I think I’ll go with the BMW instead.

These bikes are nice but I'm not a fan of the "snatchy" throttle response that riders mention with this bike.

I wish kawazaki would Make a Gpz 900r ...retro

Hey, Love this bike and this review. I'm very tempted to buy this bike but I have some reservations about it. Hoping you have a few minutes to help. I'm a returning biker, of sorts. I grew up around bikes as my dad had them, my buddies in my teens and early twenties had them, I had a moped and rode it for about 7 years. I'm now in my early 50s and I want to get a real bike. I got my license a few years ago. I realize a smaller learner bike isn't totally necessary for me as I have some experience. I'm also not so sure about a midweight as I don't want to get bored too quickly. I'm looking for a bike that I can re-acquaint myself with riding, get used to pretty quickly, and grow with. A 'one and done' bike. My question to you is: would this bike fit this category?

I don't even think Ducati's Scrambler is this good looking.

Why do I see purple in your tag photo??

Got zrx1200r 2005. Should I buy 900rs?

U can rock and roll on a kawai🧝⚡🌴

👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽😎

Kawasaki has let its loyal followers down on this bike. Way too Expensive in Europe, and particularly Ireland. 16,250 Euro??? Crazy Price!!

I'd buy one if it had twin ohlins shocks

I've just sold my Kawasaki Z900RS as I just couldn't gel with it. The throttle is terribly snatchy and I just couldn't get comfortable on the bike, it's without doubt the most uncomfortable bike I've ever had and I've had more than 40 motorcycles... it's a shame as it's a lovely looking bike, but I would recommend that if you're thinking of buying this bike then test ride it for at least an hour before you part with your money.

zed?

Imagine if Suzuki made this with Hayabusa engine!

I just wanted to hear the engine.

Great bike but too expensive right now.